Event will ring in the holiday season

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By Andy Barrand

Hillsdale.net - Hillsdale, MI

By Andy Barrand

Posted Dec. 6, 2012 at 10:45 AM

By Andy Barrand
Posted Dec. 6, 2012 at 10:45 AM

Hillsdale, Mich.

andy.barrand@hillsdale.net

QUINCY — The Christmas story and season will bring residents of Quincy together Friday night during the Quincy Chamber of Commerce's annual Quincy Lights event. Over the past week downtown business owners have been busy decorating 3-foot Christmas trees that line Chicago and North Main streets in the village. Votes will be cast during the event for the favorite tree. The winning tree will receive $200, which the business owner can donate to the charity of their choice. The event will kick off at 5:30 p.m. in the downtown courtyard with Scott Arnold, pastor of the Union Church, reading the Christmas story from Luke’s scripture. “It is a great family event which showcases the community,” said Cindy Longstreet, chamber president. “We hope everyone will come out.” Arnold said he has been involved with the event for the last four years, reading the scripture each year. The chamber has hosted the event for six years. Children from the church will help to light the lights in the courtyard before Arnold leads everyone in attendance in prayer. After the lighting of the lights and Santa Claus’ arrival downtown, businesses will open their doors for a wide variety of holiday activities. Arnold and parishioners from the church will open the church for children and adults to experience Bethlehem Live, which will include a live nativity in the church’s sanctuary. Bethlehem Live will feature a variety of shops in the church’s gymnasium with hands-on activities for families. Parishioners will be dressed in period clothing and assist families at each station. “It is very family friendly and casual,” Arnold said. “It is a way we can reach out to the community.” Arnold said the event allows families to start conversations about the message of Christ’s birth. “We want them to have an experience that they can begin to talk about the birth of Christ and what that means,” Arnold said. “It is a very informal way to talk about Jesus.” New to the experience this year will be an herb shop where families can learn the importance of herbs during Biblical times. The Quincy High School band and choir will be on hand during the event downtown performing holiday favorites. Santa will be at the fire station with pictures being taken by Expressions Photography. The Word of Life Church will host Winter Games for children at the fire station. The Quincy Lions Club and chamber will have cookies for children to decorate. Members of the Quincy Historical Society will be at the Quincy Museum, where visitors can explore the past.